“Are you part of the Jimmy revolution?” asked one Tanners regular as he contemplated the first home game under Leatherhead’s new boss (a 1-1 Ryman Premier draw against Needham Market on September 24).

Fresh management teams always look to add something different.

Former Fulham, Wigan and Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard certainly does that, as much because of his time on the reality TV show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! after retirement.

It’s hard to remember – or even imagine – any previous chiefs at Fetcham Grove being asked by a succession of fans (mainly female) for selfies. Heaven knows how the likes of John Cassidy or Keith Oram might have replied.

And it was hard to recall any who have had a ponytail, the experience of managing Leatherhead more often than not leading to hair loss rather than growth.

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Bullard, whose first job in football management it is, has very definite views about his squad, Tanners taking a point in each of his first two games which at least was an improvement from their form under his predecessor Mike Sandmann.

“They’re not as fit as they need to be, which suggests pre-season didn’t achieve what it should,” he said.

“Obviously it’s harder for part-time players because you’re playing twice a week and we only have them in for training one evening.

“But even compared with other teams, I think we’re lacking and that’s got to change. But the positive side is that they will be so much better off when they do get to the levels I expect.”

Leatherhead boss Jimmy Bullard (Image: Grahame Larter)

Neither goalkeeper found himself with too much to do. A crowd of 308 saw the hosts prosper in the first half, going in front on 18 minutes when tricky Evan Lopes worked his way into the left side of the penalty box only to be hauled down by Joe Wright.

Gez Sole sank the penalty but had few opportunities to open fire with the ballistic missile of a right foot so useful for Woking in his days there.

To underline Bullard’s point, Tanners faded in the second half and were grateful to sterling work in central defence from Jerry Nnamani, despite having to limp through the final stages after picking up a leg injury but with all the substitutes used.

The visitors deserved their point though, left-back Jake Dye sneaking through to the byeline and crossing low for substitute John Sands to fire his first goal for the club from the edge of the box.

Had his side not wasted so many set-pieces so badly, they might have taken all three.